Method and apparatus for the manufacture of sheet glass



Dec. 30, 1930, c. P. BYRNES METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SHEET GLASS Original Filed March 2. 1920 c. fg @7444@ Patented Dec. 30, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLARENCE P. BYBNES,'OII SEWICKLEY, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB T0 WINDOW GLASS COIPANY, QI' PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, AGOBPOBATION 0l' NEW JERSEY IETHUD ANI) APPARATUS FOB THE HANUFACTUBE v0F SHEET GLASS Original application nled Harsh 2, 1920, Serial No. 382,844. Divided and this applicatiomnled July 5,

1924, Serial No. 724,255. Y

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic partial vertical section showing one form of apparatus for carrying out the invention; and

Flgure 2 is a view at right angles to Figure 1, showing another form.

My invention relates to the manufacture of sheet glass, and its object is to increase the production and lower the cost of drawing glass in continuous sheet form over a bending roller. To that end, the invention consists 1n continuously drawing a plurality of sheets from the same general bath of molten lass, each sheet rising in a general vertical 'rection and thence being bent intov a eneral horizontal direction over a bending rol or device, thus giving continuous multiple draw- In the drawings, referring'to the form of Figure l, 2 represents the end portion of a tank furnace, which extends to the ri ht of the figure. 3, 3 designate bendin ro ls, located in different vertical and orizontal planes, and over which the continuous sheets are bent, thence extending horizontally and preferably passin through a flattening station and an anne ingeven. These sheets are preferably drawn with thickened edge portions, which thickened edge portions are preferably engaged just above the meniscus by friction brake devices, preferably in the form 0f stub rollers, engaging these thickened edges from opposite sides, as indicated at 4.

vThe amount of friction or drag exerted by these rollers may be adjusted in 'any suitable manner.

After passing the bending roller, the'thickened edges are engaged by the end collars. of up er and lower rol ers 5, 5, which are prefera ly geared together outside of the enclosing tunnel f6, thereby im arting a drawing action or pull to the continuous sheet, 7 1ndicates the heat supplied, which is directed upon the.continuous sheet after passing the bending roll.

The 'numeral 8 designates water coolers arranged between the two sheets and at each side thereof, to impart the desired set or plasticity. The horizontal paths of the two continuous sheets are preferably sepa-rated by a refractory roof 9, and heating and coohng means may be supplied as desired inany parts of the draw.'

In figure 2, show another form in which the section of the tank extension is at right angles to the first view, the sheets being drawn horizontally in opposite directions at general right angles to the length of the tank.` In this form, the horizontal paths of the continuous sheets, after bendin -may be in the same ,horizontal plane, an a refractory artition wall 9a ma extend between the ben ing rollers, if deslred. Similar parts are marked with similar numerals in both views, the letter a being added to similar parts in 'the second view. rIhe bending rolls may be cooled bfy air or water, or otherwise, as desired, and i desired, hot gases, steam or other fluids may be forced through perforations in the roll to keep the sheet further from its surface.

By such system, the amount of glass produced by a tank may be greatly increased, depending on the number of continuous sheets drawn simultaneously. Heretofore, each tank has been provided with one drawing extension or drawing tank, and one continuous sheethas been drawn therefrom, but by drawing sheets in different directions or stepping them vertically, one over the other, a plurality of sheets may be drawn from the same general bath system. p

The advantages of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Heretofore, only one drawing apparatus of this type has been employed in connection with a tank furnace, on account of the diiculties connected with multiple drawin where thel glass is drawn first in a vertical 'rection, thence in a generally horizontal direction.` By my improvement, the output is greatly increased and the cost corresponding y reduced.

This application is a ivision of my copnding application, Serial No. 362,844, led

arch 2, 1920, for Manufactum of sheet glass.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for simultaneously producing a plurality of sheets of glass, a horizontal leer, a series of conveyors for carrying the separate sheets in parallel horizontal planes through the leer, and means positioned between each pair of conveyors for protecting the lower sheets from falling material 2. In the drawing of sheet lassy the steps consistin of simultaneously grawm a plurality o sheets upwardl from a ath of glass, then bending the s eets and drawing them in different paths in a generally horizontal direction, one above the other, in thel same heated leer structure, and protecting the lower sheet from falling material.

3. The process of producing sheet glass, consisting in providing a mass of molten lass skimming the molten lass by draw# mg the surface therefrom in s eet form, and then drawing a sheet from the skimmed glass.

4. In sheet glass apparatus, means for containin a mass ofmolten glass, means for skimmmg the molten glass Including means for drawing a sheet from the surface thereof, and means for drawing a commercial sheet from the glass that has been skimmed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

CLARENCE 1. BYRNES. 

